A campaign to stop the use of the “R” word collected almost 2,000 signatures in Abbotsford last month.
The Spread the Word to End the Word campaign was designed to raise awareness about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the “R” word – retard or retarded – and encourage people to pledge to stop using it.
The campaign was organized in Abbotsford by Grade 11 Yale Secondary student Roshan Gosal, who had set a goal of 1,000 signatures, but collected 1,871.
The program ran from April 13 to 17 at Yale, W.J. Mouat, MEI and Abbotsford Traditional high schools.